Monday, May 25, 2009

Tomorrow I begin Chemotherapy and that will change a number of things; some I can predict and some I can't. Some I can control and some I can't. Some I think, at this point, I can control; but will discover I can't.

Just like all other significant changes in life.

So all I can do is make plans based on the best information I have available and then remain flexible.

Adaptable.

The drugs used in chemotherapy are targeted drugs. Because almost the defining characteristic of cancer is its rapid growth rate, the drugs used in chemotherapy target rapidly growing cells in the body. And poison them.

The problem is, its not just cancer cells that grow rapidly. So does my hair. So do my nails. So does my bone marrow. So does the lining of my digestive system.

I could go bald, my nails could turn yellow, my bone marrow could stop producing blood cells compromising my immune system. I could get nausea and diarrhea. The onslaught on my body could leave me fatigued.

Or the impact on me could be negligible. Some people sail through chemo with minimal side effects. It is totally idiosyncratic and totally unpredictable.

But I'd be wise to plan for the worst and hope for the best.

And one of those plans involves blogging. I need to reduce the time I spend online without sacrificing the aspects of blogging that I love the best. Because blogging brings me great pleasure and I have no desire to give it up.

So I'm going to make one change to blogging as I currently practice it. I'm going to stop responding to your comments. I welcome and thrive on comments and will continue to read every one, but I love visiting your blogs and reading them more. And I want to use the time and energy I have available to maximize my pleasure, in all things. Blogging included.

So I will read the blogs of everyone who stops by and leaves me a comment and will leave any comments I have on your blog, not mine.

If someone has left a particularly fascinating question and you wonder how I'll respond to it, well you'll just have visit their blog to find out. Maybe this will prove a win-win situation all round.

A Little Background

Welcome to this highly eclectic blog. It began its little life as a lighthearted look at the events of the world around me, especially the adventures of my dog Lindsay. However in March of 2009 I was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer which, as you might suspect, changed the nature and tone of this blog considerably, especially now that the cancer has metastasized to the bones of my hip, ribs, spine and possibly lungs. So now, for the most part, this blog chronicles my search for a healthy life both within and without conventional medicine. However, I continue to post about my dog Lindsay episodically, participate in "Our Town Shootouts" on Fridays, and Sepia Saturdays.
And every now and then, I just post what I want.